Shoulder pad



April 19, 1949. v. MARKHAM SHOULDER PAD 2 Sheets-Sheerl 1 Filed March 23, 1946 F/G. FIG. /2

Invemor VERA RKHAM Ahorney April` 19, 1949 v. MARKHAM 2,467,488

SHOULDER PAD Filed March 25, 194e 2 sheds-sheet 2 Irvenor VERA ARKHAM Attorney Patented Apr. 19, 1949 UNITED STAT ES TENT GFFICE SHOULDER PAD Vera Markham, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 23, 1946', Serial No. 656,621

7 Claims. l

This invention relates to garment accessories, and is particularly directed to a new shoulder pad.

The principal object of the invention is concerned with the provision of a shoulder pad which is constructed and arranged for optional detachable use in engagement with the shoulder independent of the outer garment.

The use of' the new shoulder pad as a detachable accessory furnishesv a number of distinct advantages. For example, it eliminates the necessity of removing the pad from a fixed position in the garment, blouse, frock or dress, incident to cleaning, and also eliminates the necessity of re-attaching the pad in the garment after the cleaning thereof. The new pad forms, asl it were, part of the shoulder, and the fabric of the outer garment therefore can drape about the pad and the shoulder and can vfreely follow bodily movements. Shoulder pads of orthodox construction, xedly attached in a garment, impede freedom of motion of the fabric of the garment and in certain positions of the wearer, may mar or destroy the form and pleasing outline of the shoulders.

Another object relates to the provision in the new shoulder pad of a pre-formed laterally inwardly and transversely downwardly tapering foundation assembly which conforms substantially to the curvature of the shoulder. Such foundation assembly supplies padding for bodily deficiencies, preserves the intended shape of the pad, and prevents transverse forward and rearward dislocation of the pad with respect to the shoulder.

Still another object has to do with the provision of means for holding the pad on the shoulder against lateral inward displacement in the direction of the neck and means for engagement with part of an undergarment, eg., a slip or brassire, for holding the pad in position on the shoulder.

The features and objects served by the preformedfoundation assembly and by the provision of the holding means as outlined above allow eor- 4 rect lpositioning of the pad on and with respect to the shoulder and neck and eliminate embarrassing slipping of the pad from its intended position incident to body movements.

In brief, the new shoulder pad is constructed detailed description which is presented below with reference to the drawings. In these draw- Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic perspective views of an embodiment of a pad made in accordance with the invention, showing the position of the pad on the shoulder of the wearer;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the blank of the foundation assembly prior to forming it to the curvature of the shoulder;

Fig. 4 represents an end view of' the blank of l the foundation assembly as seen from the right in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 illustrates a section through the blank of the foundation assembly taken approximately along lines 5-5 of Figs. 8 and 4, looking in the direction of thearrows:

Figs. 6 and 7 are two views of the foundation assembly after it has been formed to the curvature of the shoulder;

Fig. 8 is a section through the shoulder pad taken approximately along lines 8 8 of Fig. 2', looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 shows a sectionlthrough one leg or Vside of the shoulder pad taken approximately along lines 9 9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 represents a fractional sectional View similar to the View in Fig. 8, but on a larger scale; k `v and Figs. 1l and l2 indicate alternate forms of clasps or clamp members which may be used for holding the shoulder pad in engagement with an undergarment, for example, the shoulder strap of a slip or brassire.

The drawings are diagrammatic throughout and not to scale, being intended for descriptive and illustrative purposes only. It will be understood that the shoulder pad may be made in several sizes and shapes corresponding to the principal types of shoulders that may be established in trade. Like reference numerals indicate identical parts throughout the drawings, and known details and elements will be referred to only to the extent required for conveying an understanding of the invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the new shoulder pad forms a normally arched structure having the legs or sides II and I2, the curvature of the arch conforming substantially to the curvature of the shoulder. The pad tapers laterally inwardly in the direction of the neck, that is, the end I3 is thicker than the end I4 which is near the neck. The curvature of the pad is maintained by a pre-formed foundation assembly which will be presently described, and the pad is Y maintained in position against slipping laterally inwardly on the shoulder by a strap I5. The strap also assists in securing the curvature of the pad. The legs or sides II and I2 ofthe pad taper in transverse direction downwardly, as is particularly apparent from Fig. 2. Inside of the pad is arranged a holding means for engagement with the strap I6 of an undergarment I1 which may befa brassire or a slip or the like. The holding means positions the pad on the shoulder, and assists in securing the curvature of its arched structure midway between its ends.

The structure of the foundation assembly is apparent from Figs. 3-7, inclusive. The blank of the assembly is made up of a rectangularly spread mass of a pliable padding or lling which may be cotton, kapok or the like, or any other suitable and desired material. Around this filling,` longitudinally thereof, is arranged a rectangular sheet of stiffening material such as crinoline or the like whichl is indicated by numeral 2I, the end 22 of the sheet being folded upon the end 23 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The filling or padding 20 extends beyond the longitudinal edges of the crinoline sheet 2|, as indicated at 24 and 25.

It should be observed that the filling or padding 20. is spread or distributed in such a manner within the covering crinoline envelope sheet 2| that the structure tapers from the middle longitudinally outwardly to either end, forming the narrow edges 26 and 21. The filling material is furthermore so distributed that the structure tapers transversely, forming a narrow edge through which protrudes the filling material as indicated at and a wider opposite end through which the filling material protrudes as indicated at 24.

The foundation assembly is secured by longitudinally extending running stitches, some of which are indicated by the numerals 30, 3I, 32 and 33. In placing these stitches the operator draws the thread so as to form the arched structure shown in Fig. 6. That is to say, the sides of the blank as seen in Fig. 5 are bent to form the arch shown in Fig. 6; the stitches on the top of the arch are let out, while the thread forming the stitches on the inside of` the arch is drawn in. The two ends 22 and 23 of the crinoline stiifening sheet are correspondingly placed in overlapping relationship to prevent folds and wrinkles on the inside of the arch. Transverse stitches are applied wherever they are required. The finished foundation assembly, consisting of the padding 20 and the covering crinoline sheet 2| thus is curved or in the form of an arch which conforms to the curvature of a shoulder, the

arch forming the legs II and I2. which corre-` i '4 spond to the identically numbered legs of the pad shown in Figs. l and 2. These legs taper downwardly into the edges 26 and 21, and the arch tapers lengthwise, forming the relatively wide front through which protrudes the padding, as indicated at 24, and a relatively narrow rear edge through which protrudes the padding as indicated at 25. The arched body, in the presence of the relatively small forces which normally may tend to deform it, is substantially self-supporting.

The cotton or kapok filling 20 may also be substantially uniformly distributed in the blank shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and the tapering shape may be produced byk applying progressively tighter stitching in the directions in which the taper is desired.

The pre-formed foundation assembly is covered by a suitable fabric-silk, rayon or the like-indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 by the numeral 35. The covering material is stitched together to form the relatively narrow rear edge I4. In front of the structure is placed a sheet of covering material'forming the relatively wide front I3, the material being stitched to the ends of the sheet 35. The front I3, though slightly curved, appears almost flat.

The tie strap I5V shown in Figs. 1 and -2 is attached at one end to the leg I2 (see Figs. 8 and 9), being sewed to the crinoline sheet of `the foundation assembly through the covering fabric 35, for example, at the points indicated at 4|] and 4I. The other end of the tiey strap I5 is similarly attached on the inside ofthe leg II of the structure. These operations anchor the covering fabric on the foundation assembly. `Fastening members 42 and 43 `are provided on the ends of the strip I5 which are securedto the legs I I and I2, respectively, of the pad. These may besnap fasteners, the fastener 42 being the female and the fastener 43 the male member. The fasteners serve the purpose of securing thepad in position on the shoulder, as shown in Figs. l and 2, by engagement with the shoulder strap I 5 of the undergarment I1. The free ends of the tie strap I5 carrying the fasteners 43,` as shown in Fig. 9, aresimply flapped over under the strap IG of the undergarment and attached to their female members 42. l

rIhe complete pad is thus easily placed on the shoulder, held thereon, and attached to the shoulder strap of the undergarment, securing it in place. Its lateral inward slipping is prevented by the tie strap I5. Its inadvertent transverse displacement with respect to the shoulder is prevented by its curvature and by engagement of the fastener means with Athe shoulder strap I6 of the undergarment. The downwardly tapering legs Il and I2 conform to the shoulder curvature and extend the curvature progressively upwardly, thus supplying the desirable lifting of the shoulder. The laterally inwardly tapering` structure of the pad conforms to the shape of the shoulderras it merges with the neck line. yThe shoulder is thus extended upwardly and laterally slightly outwardly, producing the desired effect, and the pad is held in placesecurely, permitting the fabric of the outer garment-blouse, frock or dress-to drape Vover the lpad on the shoulder with utmost `freedom fof, movement. The pad stays in place anddoes not impede the movement of the fabric of the outer garment. y

The pad is independent of theouter garment; it may be used-optionally when desired or necessary; and its use does. not interfere with the` cleaning of the cuter garment. That is toj say,

inasmuch as the pad is entirely independent of the garment, no removal or re-attachment is required incident to the cleaning of the garment. The pad itself, of course, can be subjected to cleaning whenever desired or necessary.

vIt is understood, of course, that the novel pad disclosed herein, while constructed specifically for the purpose of being used as an independent apparel or garment accessory, may likewise be used as a fixed accessory within an outer garment. That is to say, it may be attached within.

the garment if desired.

The members 62 andv 43 shown` in Figs. 8 and 9 form` simple fastening means. "Different fastening means' may be used if desired. Clasps or clamp members, e. g., such as shown in Figs. 11 and l2, may be secured to the legs H and l2 of the arched pad in place of the fasteners 42 and d3, by sewing through the outer covering fabric onto the stiffening crinoline sheet of the foundation assembly. The structure is then attached to the shoulder strap of the undergarment simply by threading the shoulder strap l'S through the corresponding clamp or clasp fasteners. The fastener shown in Fig. 12 has a central leg 45 which may be roughened or corrugated as indicated at 46, so as to provide a grip on the shoulder strap i6 of the undergarment. Different types of clasps or clamps may be used, of course, including hinged clamp structures having a member that may be fastened to the leg of the shoulder pad and a member which is hinged thereto and may be clamped in position on the fixed member so as to hold the shoulder strap I6 in engagement therewith.

Changes may be made Within the scope and spirit of the appended claims which define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States.

I claim:

1. A shoulder pad comprising a cross-sectionally arched body formed of a substantially rectangular foundation member of substantially uniform width throughout its length, said body tapering lengthwise substantially from its median center line toward either end thereof and also tapering in transverse direction inwardly with respect to the shoulder on which it is to be placed for the purpose of supplying a form-fit padding which extends the contour line of the shoulder upwardly and transversely slightly outwardly, a tie strap extending across the space between the legs of said arched body at `the outside thereof, said tie strap securing the curvature of said arched body and preventing lateral inward displacement thereof on the shoulder.

2. A shoulder p-ad comprising a cross-sectionally arched body formed of a substantially rectangular foundation member of substantially uniform width throughout its length, said body tapering lengthwise substantially from its median center line toward either end thereof and also tapering in transverse direction inwardly with respect to the shoulder on which it is to be placed for the purpose of supplying a form-fit padding which extends the contour line of the shoulder upwardly and transversely slightly outwardly, a tie strap disposed at the outside and extending across the space between the legs of said arched body to secure the curvature thereof and to prevent lateral inward displacement of the pad on the shoulder, part of said tie strap extending transversely of said arched body inside thereof, and fastener means associated with the transverse portions of said tie strap for engagement 65 with part of an undergarment to hold the pad in position on the shoulder and to secure the curvature of its arched. body at points` midway between ts ends;

. 3. A shoulder pad having a foundation assembly which comp-rises a substantially rectangular;

ly distributed mass of a pliable lightweight filling material such: as cotton or the like, a substantially rectangular sheet of stiffening material wrapped. about said filling lengthwise thereof and forming a. top and. a. bottom covering therefor, said top covering being relatively loosely stitched together with the filling and said bottom covering being stitched together with the filling by drawn stitches tending to pull the opposite ends of the assembly together so as to form an arched body of substantially uniform width throughout its length.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, wherein the filling material is distributed within said stiffening material so as to form after being stitched together a foundation assembly of an arched structure having oppositely disposed legs which taper outwardly in longitudinal direction from the median center line and also taper substantially uniformly in transverse direction from the outside to the inside thereof.

5. A shoulder pad having a pre-formed foundation assembly made of a blank comprising a pliable lightweight filling material such as cotton or the like which is distributed to form a substantially rectangularly extending mass, a sheet of stiffening material wrapped about said filling in longitudinal direction and forming therewith a substantially rectangular structure, said stiffening material being stitched together with the filling so as to form a substantially self-supporting arched body of substantially uniform width which tapers transversely from the outside to the inside thereof and having legs which taper in longitudinal direction from the apex toward the free ends thereof, a covering fabric which envelops the arched pre-formed foundation assembly, and a tie strap disposed across the space between the legs of the structure which extends between said legs edgewise at one side thereof to assist in maintaining its curvature and to hold the pad on the shoulder against lateral inward displacement relative thereto.

6. A shoulder pad having a pre-formed foundation assembly made of a blank comprising a pliable lightweight filling material such as cotton or the like which is distributed to form a substantially rectangularly extending mass, a sheet of stifening material wrapped about said filling in longitudinal direction and forming therewith a substantially rectangular structure, said stiffening material being stitched together with the filling so as to form a substantially self-supporting arched body of substantially uniform width which tapers transversely from the outside to the inside thereof and having legs which taper in longitudinal direction from the apex toward the free ends thereof, a covering fabric which envelops said arched pre-formed foundation assembly, a tie strap disposed across the space between the legs of the structure which extends between said legs edgewise at one side thereof to assist in maintaining its curvature and to hold the pad on the shoulder against lateral inward displacement relative thereto, and fastener means disposed inside the legs of the arched structure and including part of the material of said tie strap for engagement with part of an undergarment to hold the' pad in engagement-with he shoulder. l

'7. A shoulder pad comprising a, normally arched form-fit body for engagement with the shoulder, said body having means for impeding transverse displacement thereof relative to the shoulder, means for engagement with the outside of the shoulder substantially at a line where the arm merges withthe shoulder for impeding lat-y eral displacement of said body on the shoulder in the direction of the neck, and means for holding said body on the shoulder.

VERA MARKHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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